Grand-Guignolesque
Classic and Contemporary Horror Theatre
Edited by Prof. Richard J. Hand, Prof. Michael Wilson
Publication date:
27 September 2022Publisher
University of Exeter PressDimensions:
234x156mm6x9"
ISBN-13: 9781804130155
While the infamous Théâtre du Grand-Guignol in Paris closed its doors in 1962, the particular form of horror theatre it spawned lives on and has, moreover, witnessed something of a resurgence over the past twenty years. During its heyday it inspired many imitators, though none quite as successful as the Montmartre-based original. In more recent times, new Grand-Guignol companies the world over have emerged to reimagine the form for a new generation of audiences. This book, the fourth volume in University of Exeter Press’s series on the Grand-Guignol by Richard J. Hand and Michael Wilson, examines the ongoing influence and legacy of the Théâtre du Grand-Guignol through an appraisal of its contemporary imitators and modern reincarnations.
As with the previous volumes, Grand-Guignolesque consists of a lengthy critical introduction followed by a series of previously unpublished scripts, each with its own contextualizing preface. The effect thereof is to map the evolution of horror theatre over the past 120 years, asking where the influence of the Grand-Guignol is most visible today, and what might account for its recent resurgence. This book will be of interest not only to the drama student, theatre historian and scholar of popular theatre, but also to the theatre practitioner, theatregoer and horror fan.
Hand and Wilson have done it again – their work on the Grand Guignol has been both pioneering and vital. This, their latest volume, mixes plays from the Grand Guignol with contemporary dramas inspired by the French theatre of fear and shock, and what wonderful plays they are! From the droll to the terrifying these dramas delight and chill. It is the good fortune of theatre and horror fans that Hand and Wilson have once again expanded the pool of scripts available in English. Augmented by an insightful and entertaining overview of horror theatre, the collection stands alone as a brilliant corpus of dread for the stage and the logical extension of their work so far – well worth adding to the shelf.